UK Promoted Newswire Archive
Blockaders begin mass protest outside Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station:
03-10-2011 09:17
Blockaders from all over the country converge outside gates of Hinkley Point nuclear power stationFull article | 2 additions | 4 comments
Manchester Occupied
02-10-2011 23:28
Occupy Manchester + Education Bloc Tory Demo Pics
02-10-2011 16:55
Today tens of thousands marched in protest at the tory party conference in manchester. A feeder march from the university started around 12.30pm after speeches setting out the reasons for the occupation of albert square and future dates for mobilising resistance to the cuts and the con-dem coalition. It joined the main protest which noisily snaked its way around the tory party conference centre. There was a huge amount of anger expressed by marchers with many saying they were inspired by events in other countries and were preparing to support the block the bridge action in london on 9th october, the education demos on 9th nov and the strikes on 30th Nov.
With Unite supporting the Block the bridge demo in london maybe we are getting closer to the point where the trade unions really do put their money where their mouth is as they repeat the call for civil disobedience alongside industrial action.
http://www.occupymanchester.org
http://www.manchestertuc.org/features/276-march-for-the-alternative-2-october-manchester.html
Nottingham protest rattles Atos
02-10-2011 08:36
On Friday, a large protest temporarily invaded the Atos Medical Assessment Centre on Stoney Street in the Lace Market. Campaigners had gathered as part of a nationwide day of action against the company which is responsible for the Department for Work & Pensions’ ‘work capability assessments’ which have been condemned by disability rights and claimants groups. The protesters handed out leaflets and spoke to members of the public about Atos before Atos employees called the police in claiming that they were being harassed by the protest. Two protesters refused to leave and were arrested for aggravated trespass. A solidarity demonstration was held until both were released.
On the newswire: ATOS National Day of Action: Notts contribution 1 | 2 | Critical Mass Welcomes Release of Atos Arrestee
Elsewhere: Birmingham | Brighton | Glasgow | Islington | Oxford
Previous feature: Protests against Office Angels and ATOS
Since ATOS took over the £100m per year contract for assessments in 2008, the number of people with severe illness and disability being found ‘fit for work’ and having their benefits withdrawn has increased dramatically. A recent open letter to the British Medical Journal claimed that Atos assessors “work to targets which have nothing to do with patients’ individual health needs or with the realities of the job market which sick and disabled people are being thrown into.” 12 Atos doctors are under investigation by the General Medical Council for improper conduct. One of their staff was recently found to have been referring to the people assessed as “parasitic wankers” and “down and outs”.
When protestors invaded the waiting room of the assessment centre to make their views known, the police were called and Atos staff claimed to have been intimidated by them. The police told the occupiers that unless they left the property they would be arrested for aggravated trespass. Two people remained, one of whom was arrested and one wheelchair user whose wheelchair was too big for the police vans was bailed to return to a police station. Supporters held a solidarity vigil outside Bridewell custody suite until the other man was released at about 6.30. Shortly before he got out the Critical Mass bike ride took over the area in front of the Magistrates Court to join the solidarity demonstration and were there to see the prisoner released.
The Nottingham protest was supported by local anti-cuts and anarchist groups including Notts SOS, Notts Uncut and Nottingham Anarchist Federation.
Brum: Photos and report from Action Against ATOS
01-10-2011 20:11
15 people joined a demonstration in Birmingham on Friday as a part of a national day of action against ATOS, called by Benefit Claimants Fight Back, and supported by a host of disability and welfare campaign and support groups.
In Birmingham, DPAC, Birmingham Against the Cuts, Right to Work and Enable joined together for a lunchtime demonstration outside the building that ATOS use for the Work Capability Assessments (WCAs).
Bridgwater marchers call for an end to nuclear power
01-10-2011 16:58
ATOS National Day of Action: Notts contribution 2
01-10-2011 14:55
12.00 noon Friday 30th September 2011
People in Nottingham, joined a National Day of Action against ATOS Healthcare and the government's attack on benefits for people with disability and illness through the 'Work Capability Test' and Welfare Reform Bill.
Protesters assembled in Hockley, Nottingham city centre, to head over to protest at the ATOS assessment centre on Stoney Street.
This organisation has the government contract to re-assess claimants for the disability allowances. But folks claim that all they are doing is shifting people from this benefit to other lesser benefits like Job Seekers Allowance. Irrespective of the claimants abilities.
On arrival at the office, people gathered arround the entrance, displaying banners and handing out leaflets. Protestors, including many in wheelchairs and some partialy-sighted then entered the office. Claimants and supporters then exchanged stories of what assesment by Atos had meant to them.
After about 30mins, 4 police cars containing 7 or 8 police officers arrived at the building. After talking to Atos management, then proceeded to read out the section of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, concerning 'aggrevated tresspass'. This included the bit about obstructing or disrupting a lawful activity and workers there feeling intimidated by all these folks in wheelchairs in the outer office! As you would expect, this was greeted with a certain amount of credulity!! Anyway the threat was clear. Leave within minutes or all would be arrested.
++++++
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/69
69 Powers to remove persons committing or participating in aggravated trespass.
(1)If the senior police officer present at the scene reasonably believes—
(a)that a person is committing, has committed or intends to commit the offence of aggravated trespass on land [F1...in the open air]... ; or
(b)that two or more persons are trespassing on land [F2...in the open air]... and are present there with the common purpose of intimidating persons so as to deter them from engaging in a lawful activity or of obstructing or disrupting a lawful activity,
he may direct that person or (as the case may be) those persons (or any of them) to leave the land.
(2)A direction under subsection (1) above, if not communicated to the persons referred to in subsection (1) by the police officer giving the direction, may be communicated to them by any constable at the scene.
(3)If a person knowing that a direction under subsection (1) above has been given which applies to him—
(a)fails to leave the land as soon as practicable, or
(b)having left again enters the land as a trespasser within the period of three months beginning with the day on which the direction was given,
he commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or both
Note:
[F1...in the open air] [F2...in the open air]
these words removed by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 sect 59 ...... Hence now, anywhere!
++++++
Most then leave, but one man in a wheelchair and another, did remain and where then arrested. One was then lead off in handcuffs to the Bridwell Police Station for processing. I was expecting the man in the wheelchair might have been dragged out in handcuffs and manhandled about [Joddy McIntyre style], but seeing my photo-opportunity they might have created, 'street bailed' the individual and he was allowed to leave un-molested.
Atos being true to form [with police assistance] thus showed themselves to be the bullying organisation, many of the most vulnerable people amoungst us already knew.........
Atos Origin have £300 million contract with the Con-dem Government to continue carrying out ‘work capability assessments’. It is claimed assessments are to test what people can do rather than what they can’t. The real purpose is to strip benefits from as many people as possible. This testing system has already led to people with terminal illnesses and severe medical conditions being declared fit for work and having benefits cut. GP’s are ignored in favour of decisions made by Atos Origin’s computer. Plans announced for the scrapping of Disability Living Allowance have also revealed that this intrusive testing is likely to be extended to everyone on some form of disability or health related benefit. To date around 40% of appeals against Atos Origin’s decisions have been successful.
Atos have now extended their harassment of sick and disabled by using legal threats to silence websites which have been critical of them, see the Benefit Claimants Fightback website below for more details. http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com/
JCP and Atos Origin superglued shut
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/1893
Superglue Atos: The glue in question :-)
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/tumbles/1895
National Day of Action Against Atos – Latest News
http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com
Campaigners are threatening a boycott of next year's Paralympic Games because of links between the International Paralympic Committee and a company that tests disabled people's "fitness to work" - Channel4 News
http://www.channel4.com/news/campaigners-threaten-paralympics-boycott
Atos Inspired Art
http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/atos-inspired-art/
Groups campaigning in Nottingham to protect welfare include:
Notts Save Our Services: http://www.nottssos.org.uk
Notts UnCut: http://www.nottsuncut.co.uk
Anarchist Federation (Nottingham): http://nottsblackarrow.wordpress.com
UPDATE:
Critical Mass Welcomes Release of Atos Arrestee
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2050
____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email: tash@indymedia.org
Web: http://digitaljournalist.eu
Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
<ends>
ATOS National Day of Action: Notts contribution 1
01-10-2011 12:55
12.00 noon Friday 30th September 2011
People in Nottingham, joined a National Day of Action against ATOS Healthcare and the government's attack on benefits for people with disability and illness through the 'Work Capability Test' and Welfare Reform Bill.
Protesters assembled in Hockley, Nottingham city centre, to head over to protest at the ATOS assessment centre on Stoney Street.
This organisation has the government contract to re-assess claimants for the disability allowances. But folks claim that all they are doing is shifting people from this benefit to other lesser benefits like Job Seekers Allowance. Irrespective of the claimants abilities.
On arrival at the office, people gathered arround the entrance, displaying banners and handing out leaflets. Protestors, including many in wheelchairs and some partialy-sighted then entered the office. Claimants and supporters then exchanged stories of what assesment by Atos had meant to them.
After about 30mins, 4 police cars containing 7 or 8 police officers arrived at the building. After talking to Atos management, then proceeded to read out the section of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, concerning 'aggrevated tresspass'. This included the bit about obstructing or disrupting a lawful activity and workers there feeling intimidated by all these folks in wheelchairs in the outer office! As you would expect, this was greeted with a certain amount of credulity!! Anyway the threat was clear. Leave within minutes or all would be arrested.
++++++
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/69
69 Powers to remove persons committing or participating in aggravated trespass.
(1)If the senior police officer present at the scene reasonably believes—
(a)that a person is committing, has committed or intends to commit the offence of aggravated trespass on land [F1...in the open air]... ; or
(b)that two or more persons are trespassing on land [F2...in the open air]... and are present there with the common purpose of intimidating persons so as to deter them from engaging in a lawful activity or of obstructing or disrupting a lawful activity,
he may direct that person or (as the case may be) those persons (or any of them) to leave the land.
(2)A direction under subsection (1) above, if not communicated to the persons referred to in subsection (1) by the police officer giving the direction, may be communicated to them by any constable at the scene.
(3)If a person knowing that a direction under subsection (1) above has been given which applies to him—
(a)fails to leave the land as soon as practicable, or
(b)having left again enters the land as a trespasser within the period of three months beginning with the day on which the direction was given,
he commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or both
Note:
[F1...in the open air] [F2...in the open air]
these words removed by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 sect 59 ...... Hence now, anywhere!
++++++
Most then leave, but one man in a wheelchair and another, did remain and where then arrested. One was then lead off in handcuffs to the Bridwell Police Station for processing. I was expecting the man in the wheelchair might have been dragged out in handcuffs and manhandled about [Joddy McIntyre style], but seeing my photo-opportunity they might have created, 'street bailed' the individual and he was allowed to leave un-molested.
Atos being true to form [with police assistance] thus showed themselves to be the bullying organisation, many of the most vulnerable people amoungst us already knew.........
Atos Origin have £300 million contract with the Con-dem Government to continue carrying out ‘work capability assessments’. It is claimed assessments are to test what people can do rather than what they can’t. The real purpose is to strip benefits from as many people as possible. This testing system has already led to people with terminal illnesses and severe medical conditions being declared fit for work and having benefits cut. GP’s are ignored in favour of decisions made by Atos Origin’s computer. Plans announced for the scrapping of Disability Living Allowance have also revealed that this intrusive testing is likely to be extended to everyone on some form of disability or health related benefit. To date around 40% of appeals against Atos Origin’s decisions have been successful.
Atos have now extended their harassment of sick and disabled by using legal threats to silence websites which have been critical of them, see the Benefit Claimants Fightback website below for more details. http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com/
JCP and Atos Origin superglued shut
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/1893
Superglue Atos: The glue in question :-)
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/tumbles/1895
National Day of Action Against Atos – Latest News
http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com
Campaigners are threatening a boycott of next year's Paralympic Games because of links between the International Paralympic Committee and a company that tests disabled people's "fitness to work" - Channel4 News
http://www.channel4.com/news/campaigners-threaten-paralympics-boycott
Atos Inspired Art
http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/atos-inspired-art/
Groups campaigning in Nottingham to protect welfare include:
Notts Save Our Services: http://www.nottssos.org.uk
Notts UnCut: http://www.nottsuncut.co.uk
Anarchist Federation (Nottingham): http://nottsblackarrow.wordpress.com
UPDATE:
Critical Mass Welcomes Release of Atos Arrestee
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2050
____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email: tash@indymedia.org
Web: http://digitaljournalist.eu
Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
<ends>
Revolutionary ripples in the USA
01-10-2011 08:12
TWO thousand people marched on New York's police HQ on Friday, angered by brutal attacks on anti-capitalist protesters.Critical Mass Welcomes Release of Atos Arrestee
30-09-2011 20:55
I haven't been able to get the full story yet but it seems that around 30 protesters occupied the Nottingham Atos medical assessment centre shortly after 12pm today in protest at the company's role in forcing people with medical conditions into work. Two people were arrested for aggravated trespass including one person in a wheelchair that the police were unable to fit into their van. He was charged on the spot and bailed whilst the other was taken to the Bridewell police station. A solidarity protest was held outside which was swelled in the evening by 30 cyclists from the Nottingham critical mass. Just as we arrived at around 6.30 the arrestee was released to much bell ringing and applause!
Today's critical mass was well attended with 2 sound systems and we had a good old tour around town before heading to the Sumac for a special post-CM people's kitchen. Drivers' tempers were a little bit more frayed than usual thanks to the hot day but the mass was good humoured and fun. Our show of solidarity to the anti-Atos people was definitely a highlight - especially as we were there to see the man released.
Look forward to hearing more about the anti-Atos demo.
Islington ATOS demo today - pics and short report
30-09-2011 16:55
as part of a uk-wide protest against ATOS today, there was a small but noisy presence outside the islington business design centre all afternoon. here are some pics from the early part of the protest.
click on image for larger version. 'some rights reserved' - free for credited non-commercial use, otherwise contact author for permission
----
ATOS is the IT company which 'tests' disabled people on behalf of the government to see if they are capable of work. the 'work capability assessment' tests involve a short interview and a computerised programme.
the testing regime has resulted in a catalogue of sad and horrific stories, with people forced to work while facing serious or terminal illness, and with benefits stripped leading to suicides.
not only that, but the company has also aggressively countered criticism, resorting to bullying legal tactics to close down websites.
today's nationwide action saw gatherings at ATOS offices in 17 towns and cities.
the london islington protest took place outside the british medical journal's trade fair where ATOS were recruiting medical staff for their assessment teams. from midday around 60 protestors gathered near the islington business design centre. police kept them away from the main entrance as the area is apparently 'private property' despite being an open plaza. at one stage a small group moved up to the main entrance of the building with the large 'atos kills' banner, but were soon pushed back to the official protest area.
many groups were represented today. some of them are listed in the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE -
The Day of Action has been called by a range of different groups and organisations throughout the UK. For the full list of supporting organisations and further details of all protests please visit the website at: http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com/
Contact details of some of the paticipating groups are as follows:
· Benefit Claimants Fightback: notowelfarecuts@yahoo.co.uk
· Black Triangle: info@blacktrianglecampaign.org Scotland contact: 07778 316875
· Defend Welfare network
· Disabled People Against Cuts: mail@dpac.uk.net contact:07714 927533
· WinVisible (women with visible and invisible disabilities): win@winvisible.org Tel: 020 7482 2496.
Atos Healthcare is part of Atos, the French multinational IT company which operates in 42 countries and which has the IT contract for the Olympic Games.
The National Day of Action Against Atos is the sixth National Day of Protest targeting benefit cuts, which has seen a diverse network of claimant, disability and anti-cuts groups and individuals taking action in every major city in the UK. As well as protests outside Atos offices, demonstrations have been held outside jobcentres, workfare
provider's offices, the Daily Mail for witch-hunting benefit “scroungers” and Westminster Council over the ban on soup runs.
Brutal copper gets jail
29-09-2011 14:55
Former Notts firearms cop Timothy Allatt was sent down for 8 weeks today for assaulting a man he arrested in Sneinton last year. Allatt's 'gratuitous violence' left his victim with a collapsed lung and facial injuries. Allatt has already been kicked out of the force for using 'excessive force' in another arrest.
As usual, the forces of law and order have protected their own. By only charging Allatt with assault rather than grievous bodily harm (a punctured lung is a very serious injury) and due to 'glowing references' from others within the force, Allatt has got off with a very lenient sentence. 8 weeks is much shorter than the 2 years 9 months handed down to a teenager who chatted shit on Facebook, the 6 months for someone who stole a bottle of water and the 16 months given to a man who stole a lick of ice cream during the riots. And to add insult to injury, the bastard has launched an appeal and is out on bail already.
No justice, no peace.
The Photos Mark Kennedy Didn’t Want The World To See
29-09-2011 14:28
Strathclyde Uni Occupied Against Introduction of £27k fees for non-Scottish students
29-09-2011 10:46
This morning at 11 am around 40 students from across Scotland went
into occupation of the collins building at Strathclyde University in
protest of the recently announced £27,000 fees for RUK (Rest of UK,
apart from Scotland) students. Students have come from Universities
all over Scotland, including Glasgow, Strathclyde, Caledonian,
60 international activists occupy Gold Corporation headquarters in Rosia Montana
28-09-2011 17:41
'Girl Band' Protest at Royal Bank of Scotland sponsorship of low carbon conference
28-09-2011 09:57
A 'girl band' of environmental activists dressed as 'oily bankers' protested outside the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) sponsored Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference in Edinburgh yesterday morning (Tuesday 27 September 2011).
You can see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V26AyA8ZKGI.
Benefiting from workfare - 'It's exploitation and it's repellent'
27-09-2011 11:41
TK Maxx, Wilkinsons, Savers and Matalan have been named as major retailers where unemployed people are being sent to work without pay. Since our article last month[1] exposing Tesco, Primark and other multinationals taking unpaid work placements, various people have contacted Corporate Watch describing their own experiences of being sent to major retailers, as well as councils and charities, to do similar work to that of salaried staff while receiving only £67.50 a week in Jobseekers' Allowance.Solidarity Demonstration for Banner Drop Anti-Cuts Activist
26-09-2011 20:49
Our view of today's demonstration in Birmingham...